Monday, September 27, 2010

Real-Life Iron Man Exoskeleton Gets a Slimmer, More Powerful Sequel | Popular Science: Most importantly, the ratio between actual and perceived weight lifted is much improved, going from 6:1 in the XOS-1 to a whopping 17:1 in the XOS-2. A 50-pound weight feels like only three pounds, and a 200-pound weight feels like only 12. Test engineer Rex Jameson (that name even sounds like a superhero, doesn't it?) was able to punch through four one-inch boards strapped together, and repeatedly lifted a 200-pound artillery shell.

But the suit also requires 50 percent less energy, a major upgrade, and weighs about 10 percent less, at 195 pounds, which should come in handy in the suit's most likely future applications, especially military and construction.